Usually 5-15 minutes on average, sometimes on special days though it could be as long as 30-35 minutes. Those Baptist though, wow, they don't even break a sweat until they at least reach the 1 hour mark.

I said 5-15 and 15-25, just because I regularly attend two different parishes, and one of them has two priests that regularly homilize (they take turns), and so depending on the day's celebration or who's giving the homily it can vary quite a bit.

EDIT: Though, it's very, very rarely more than 20. 10-15 is probably more like it.

« Last Edit: March 31, 2013, 04:54:42 PM by Benjamin the Red »

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"Hades is not a place, no, but a state of the soul. It begins here on earth. Just so, paradise begins in the soul of a man here in the earthly life. Here we already have contact with the divine..." -St. John, Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco, Homily On the Sunday of Orthodoxy

Thank God my sermon is zero minutes long. OTH, our priests' sermons are usually 20 minutes long on the average. I also like when the homily is given: right after the Gospel reading.

Thank God. This is the proper place of the homily. It is unfortunate that it is given at the end of the Liturgy in so many parishes.

My parish records the homily on video every Sunday. While you should absolutely be there before the lessons, if you happen to miss it, you can always catch it online the next day!

Though, seriously folks, the Liturgy starts at "Blessed is the Kingdom...". The priest that baptized me was lenient, however (taking into account, I'm sure, that his parish has a lot of young families with little children), saying that it is acceptable to come in a bit late, as long as you make it for the Scripture readings. Though, he often said publicly he didn't believe people should normally commune if they came later than the Gospel.

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"Hades is not a place, no, but a state of the soul. It begins here on earth. Just so, paradise begins in the soul of a man here in the earthly life. Here we already have contact with the divine..." -St. John, Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco, Homily On the Sunday of Orthodoxy

How long is my sermon? I just got done. Can you imagine St. Paul visiting one of our parishes (besides quietly in an icon on the iconostas)? If we had a miraculous talking St. Paul icon who preached a continual sermon with beautiful inspiring words, most of my parishioners would marvel for about a half hour and then post it on Craigslist to trade another parish for a silent weeping one.

Usually mine runs about 15-20 minutes. My wife gently let me know that the homily ran 30 minutes today (a slight reprimand) but then added that fortunately it was good (lol). Many don't know this but that is why throughout Church history married clergy were standard for parishes. The Presbytera was the only one that the laity could count on to shut the priest up when the wind started to get a bit long.

Not long enough and too long, depends on who is preaching and the mood of the priest.

Usually around 25-40, maybe more..

I think I must find myself another church, there is too much dark-mindness in the current parish , even among priests, or it might be just me.. Anyway I recently feel no pleasure or satisfaction in going to church.. Too much negativity, judgementalism and dark-mindness. Is like every Sunday is a funeral. What is the deal with that.

I've voted 5-15 min (more precisely, it lasts 10-15 min) and I think that's the best length of the sermon. Of course, on the parish feast, it lasts longer, but I consider it as something obvious.

But during the Communion of the priests, our parson (rector) has another speech: he always greet us, inform about current events in the parish and gives the schedule of the services, but sometimes he also say something about today's feast, Gospel, fasting period etc. so from time to time it turn to the second sermon (and he loves talking). But it's not so bad, because he's quite charismatic person, so it's nice to listen to it. It's easy for him to give a great description of the coming feast (e. g. the way how he described the Lazarus Saturday last day), that you're able to "feel" this feast, this atmosphere, the events that are commemorated by the particular feast.

I can't really tell. The one parish I attend has < 5 min sermons, the second one - over 25 min. I know the official guidelines are +/- 15 min but I do not know how is it observed.

I suppose in Podlachia the sermons are generally a bit longer?... But all depends on the priest, I know that one priest from the Cathedral parish in Warsaw sometimes gives such sermon that it lasts ~40 minutes...

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Pray for persecuted Christians, especially in Serbian Kosovo and Raška, Egypt and Syria

Not long enough and too long, depends on who is preaching and the mood of the priest.

Usually around 25-40, maybe more..

I think I must find myself another church, there is too much dark-mindness in the current parish , even among priests, or it might be just me.. Anyway I recently feel no pleasure or satisfaction in going to church.. Too much negativity, judgementalism and dark-mindness. Is like every Sunday is a funeral. What is the deal with that.

Has always been this way? Perhaps it seems "dark" because it is Great Lent and folks are a bit more reserved?

Are there other churches you can go that are near you? One Sunday go and visit another Orthodox parish. Sometimes, change is good.

I actually went to a Russian church this last Sunday for Vespers, officiated by a MP bishop! The walls didn't cave in!!! I even went up to him and spoke to him in Ukrainian and he didn't knock me over the head with his huge blessing Cross.

As for sermons....it depends on the day. If it's just an "average" mid year Sunday, than perhaps 10-15 minutes.

If it is a mid-week Feast Day and there are only 5 people in church, than about 5 minutes, as the priest realizes the 5 people need to get to work.

If the bishop is visiting....the sermon can be 30 minutes....to a full house and a captivated audience.

My bishop (His Grace Bishop Daniel UOCofUSA) gives the best sermons! He is succinct, to the point, and his messages always hit home. The women have learned over the last few years, to bring Kleenex with them on the days he visits. He never fails to hit that painful cord, that stirs the heart, humbles the spirit and energizes the body!

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Conquer evil men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of legality to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.—St. Isaac of Syria

You, my friend, are referring to a discussion that took place on Facebook, which I felt compelled to delete your comments from my Wall.

If you wish to discuss this matter further, please begin a new topic, in the correct section of this Forum, and I will be more than happy to oblige you in further polite discussion.

For the record, what Michal just stated does not reflect my beliefs, nor those of my Church. I wont' get in to politics here, but, nobody ever said the MP is not valid.

I accept your apology, which I am certain is coming forthwith.

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Conquer evil men by your gentle kindness, and make zealous men wonder at your goodness. Put the lover of legality to shame by your compassion. With the afflicted be afflicted in mind. Love all men, but keep distant from all men.—St. Isaac of Syria

Not long enough and too long, depends on who is preaching and the mood of the priest.

Usually around 25-40, maybe more..

I think I must find myself another church, there is too much dark-mindness in the current parish , even among priests, or it might be just me.. Anyway I recently feel no pleasure or satisfaction in going to church.. Too much negativity, judgementalism and dark-mindness. Is like every Sunday is a funeral. What is the deal with that.

Not in my parish. The fundamental underlying theme is love. We are also fortunate to have a priest who challenges us to be "all that we can be." He gently but insistently pushes us to excel as followers of the Lord; shoot for the "A" and do not be satisfied with a passing grade, so to speak. Now, undoubtedly the Great Lent is a penitential season but I am just thinking that Pascha will be all the more sweeter and joyful who participate in weekday services.

If the sermon during the Divine Liturgy or immediately following the Divine Liturgy is well-delivered with a good thesis, supporting passages, and a conclusion that ties it all together, along with variations in tone (not delivered in a monotone), then it can be up to 20 minutes.

Longer than that would make it difficult as people would be running out to use the restrooms, or get a drink of water.

Some priests give lenten weekday sermons after Pre-Sanctified Liturgy and the parish Lenten Potluck. After the food has been set out and blessed, we would be allowed 15 minutes to eat, then we would move our refreshments to a central table for the homily. That would allow the priest time to drink some coffee and have a bite to eat. These homilies have been up to one hour in length and are wonderful. During Saturday Days of Recollection, sermons in the hall that follow the Saturday Divine Liturgy and brunch are considerably longer than those in church and last 45 minutes to one hour.

Not long enough and too long, depends on who is preaching and the mood of the priest.

Usually around 25-40, maybe more..

I think I must find myself another church, there is too much dark-mindness in the current parish , even among priests, or it might be just me.. Anyway I recently feel no pleasure or satisfaction in going to church.. Too much negativity, judgementalism and dark-mindness. Is like every Sunday is a funeral. What is the deal with that.

Has always been this way? Perhaps it seems "dark" because it is Great Lent and folks are a bit more reserved?

Are there other churches you can go that are near you? One Sunday go and visit another Orthodox parish. Sometimes, change is good.

I actually went to a Russian church this last Sunday for Vespers, officiated by a MP bishop! The walls didn't cave in!!! I even went up to him and spoke to him in Ukrainian and he didn't knock me over the head with his huge blessing Cross.

As for sermons....it depends on the day. If it's just an "average" mid year Sunday, than perhaps 10-15 minutes.

If it is a mid-week Feast Day and there are only 5 people in church, than about 5 minutes, as the priest realizes the 5 people need to get to work.

If the bishop is visiting....the sermon can be 30 minutes....to a full house and a captivated audience.

My bishop (His Grace Bishop Daniel UOCofUSA) gives the best sermons! He is succinct, to the point, and his messages always hit home. The women have learned over the last few years, to bring Kleenex with them on the days he visits. He never fails to hit that painful cord, that stirs the heart, humbles the spirit and energizes the body!

My midweek sermons are 1-2 minutes (except Nativity, which is about 10 minutes on the eve and 10 minutes in the morning, and Theophany which is at least 5 minutes). My usual Sunday sermon is 15 minutes, but can go to 18 minutes, and sometimes 20. This past Sunday, I did an unusually long sermon, but the front side was actually liturgical procedural announcements--actual sermon was 25 minutes, but total including procedural announcements 30 minutes.

I recall the Paschal "post-sermon" of 2009 with some trepidation. Our priest read the traditional homily. Then our Bishop decided to speak afterward....for 1.5 hours I was about 7.5 months pregnant with our 4th, I had 2 children asleep on top of me. It felt like the longest 1.5 hours of my life.

Typically our priest speaks for 15-20 minutes, very rarely it will stretch to 30 minutes. Given the sermon was a minimum of an hour at the last church we attended (MH) with little actual content, I find even the 30 minute homilies mercifully short.

I attend a Methodist Church w/ my wife and that sermon is about 45 minutes. I invariably fall asleep in it and wake up in time to then go to DL where the sermon is about 10 minutes; much more managable. I just wish it was later in the service because my feet hurt afterwhile and I like to sit down. #pewheresy

I always wonder how people made it through the huge sermons some of the Fathers gave, like St. Gregory Palamas' sermon on the Entry of the Theotokos.

Many such sermons could have been written, but never actually preached to a congregation.

IIRC his biographer says that, while on Athos, he would only show up in church on Saturdays and Sundays and that one time he was quite disturbed by people fussing around/talking in church. So there's a chance he might have spoken it to test the forbearance of his listeners.

It's what's being said that counts. Both the current and immediate previous rectors seem to have a thing about keeping sermons short, which is OK if they get where they're trying to go in the talk and have some place to go in the first place. The rector now has a tendency to preach the first 2/3s of a sermon and leave off the part where he pulls all his thoughts together. OTOH back years ago we had a rector who typically preached for a half hour, and was worth listening to for that long. And when I was a kid the minister always preached for thirty minutes: baptodisterian preachers in those days made the sermon the centerpiece of the service.

Just yesterday, I attended pascha in the local MP parish. They started at 11, and after the usual homily of St John ChrysostomN the priest decided to give his own sermon. By the time it ends, the sun was up. My friend who invited me said that his sermon usually lasts 90 mins to 2 hrs.Later I found out that the priest was a former mullah befor becoming a protestant pastor and eventually orthodox priest.

Just yesterday, I attended pascha in the local MP parish. They started at 11, and after the usual homily of St John ChrysostomN the priest decided to give his own sermon. By the time it ends, the sun was up. My friend who invited me said that his sermon usually lasts 90 mins to 2 hrs.Later I found out that the priest was a former mullah befor becoming a protestant pastor and eventually orthodox priest.

I don't care HOW good someone is, at a certain point I tend to forget what people are talking about! lol

I attend a Methodist Church w/ my wife and that sermon is about 45 minutes. I invariably fall asleep in it and wake up in time to then go to DL where the sermon is about 10 minutes; much more managable. I just wish it was later in the service because my feet hurt afterwhile and I like to sit down. #pewheresy

Personally, I like the sermon as is, because it gives a break from standing, and makes everything nice and easy, haha

I attend a Methodist Church w/ my wife and that sermon is about 45 minutes. I invariably fall asleep in it and wake up in time to then go to DL where the sermon is about 10 minutes; much more managable. I just wish it was later in the service because my feet hurt afterwhile and I like to sit down. #pewheresy

Personally, I like the sermon as is, because it gives a break from standing, and makes everything nice and easy, haha

Maybe I should lobby my priest to do two sermons for additional sitting time.

Just yesterday, I attended pascha in the local MP parish. They started at 11, and after the usual homily of St John ChrysostomN the priest decided to give his own sermon. By the time it ends, the sun was up.

Seriously? Where is this parish? Those are some tough people at that church.

Depending on which Priest is preaching, it could be 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 20 minutes. I've recorded some of their sermons, and just an interesting tidbit, it's funny to see (with an audio editor) that each Priest speaks in a pattern consistent with their previous sermons. I also must mention, that those 5-10-20 minute figures are possibly with all the pauses cut out, so their sermons could be several minutes longer on average, especially for those Priests who like to pause between each sentence.

As for me, speaking generally and without regard to any particular parish, jurisdiction, etc., I enjoy long sermons if they are well-organized and well-thought out, i.e., something in the nature of a mini academic discourse which presents a certain thesis as the interpretation/application of what was read, which then explains how this can be seen in the writings of Scripture and the Fathers and also how it can be applied now, and which demonstrates careful study of the topic. The sermons of the early Fathers certainly all seem to be of this type. The most painful are long sermons which do not appear well-thought out and which, rather than presenting such a synthesis on a particular topic for edification, are merely a series of unconnected thoughts or, even worse, "feelings" on a particular issue. These strike me as the presentation of unpolished drafts.

In my history of pre-Orthodox church attendance, I often felt perturbed by some of the Protestant sermons which started off with a reading of the Biblical text and then went off into the pastor's own thoughts for the day, without actually explaining what had just been read or trying to ground it in any sort of doctrine or tradition.

In my history of pre-Orthodox church attendance, I often felt perturbed by some of the Protestant sermons which started off with a reading of the Biblical text and then went off into the pastor's own thoughts for the day, without actually explaining what had just been read or trying to ground it in any sort of doctrine or tradition.

The Priest at the parish I attend hasn't offered a sermon since Christmas. (I wasn't there for Pascha so he might have then) Does anyone else experience this?

Yes, one of the parishes we attended was like this. The priest was elderly and had health problems, and did the best he could. One could tell that it was a struggle for him to get through the liturgy. The parish was small and many people had limited incomes there, so everyone involved was clearly doing the best they could. The Christian love shown in that parish was outstanding -- in fact, it was that parish, and that community of Christian love, where we found the truth and beauty of the Orthodox faith.

I have only ever been to two Divine Liturgies, at two different Orthodox churches. Each time, the homily was around the 5 minute mark, I'm guessing. And let me tell you, I like it this way. Over the years I have developed a severe aversion to preaching; I go to church, rather, to pray and worship. All the preaching (teaching and inspiring) one needs is in the Liturgy and the chanting, so it seems to me.

Over the years I have developed a severe aversion to preaching; I go to church, rather, to pray and worship. All the preaching (teaching and inspiring) one needs is in the Liturgy and the chanting, so it seems to me.

a single tearstreaks down a cheeknow heartbrokenthe golden-mouthed one

The first Orthodox parish I visited, the homily was after the Liturgy and was about 20 minutes. Currently, at my parish, the homily is after the Gospel reading and is usually <15 minutes, on Sundays. Weekday Liturgy may have no homily, unless it's a Feast day. I visit the Greek Church once in while on a weekday and the priest does the homily after the Liturgy, combined with announcements. Then he gives dimissal and distributes antidoron. Longest sermon I ever witnessed was about two and a half hours (just the sermon. Don't count the 3+ hours of holy-rolling and singing) at a Pentecostal revival by evangelist Yiye Avila (kind of like a Billy Graham). If you are Puerto Rican, or at least Hispanic, you know the name and, Good Lord, could the guy preach forever.

« Last Edit: August 12, 2013, 08:22:32 AM by hecma925 »

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Happy shall he be, that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. Alleluia.

As long as it needs to be. Though I have noticed some priests feel that what they have to say means using more time instead of expressing the essential things. You know what I mean -- you get the feeling that you are hearing a lot of stuff just so the sermon is long enough.

Though, seriously folks, the Liturgy starts at "Blessed is the Kingdom...". The priest that baptized me was lenient, however (taking into account, I'm sure, that his parish has a lot of young families with little children), saying that it is acceptable to come in a bit late, as long as you make it for the Scripture readings. Though, he often said publicly he didn't believe people should normally commune if they came later than the Gospel.

My family's SF says the same thing about getting there before the Gospel reading. However, if I don't hear the "B" in "Blessed" I don't even want to be there. If you're not early you're late!

Though, seriously folks, the Liturgy starts at "Blessed is the Kingdom...". The priest that baptized me was lenient, however (taking into account, I'm sure, that his parish has a lot of young families with little children), saying that it is acceptable to come in a bit late, as long as you make it for the Scripture readings. Though, he often said publicly he didn't believe people should normally commune if they came later than the Gospel.

My family's SF says the same thing about getting there before the Gospel reading. However, if I don't hear the "B" in "Blessed" I don't even want to be there. If you're not early you're late!

Well THIS is not a very Orthodox approach! If you are in before the Creed, your still early!

How long is my sermon? I just got done. Can you imagine St. Paul visiting one of our parishes (besides quietly in an icon on the iconostas)? If we had a miraculous talking St. Paul icon who preached a continual sermon with beautiful inspiring words, most of my parishioners would marvel for about a half hour and then post it on Craigslist to trade another parish for a silent weeping one.

Usually mine runs about 15-20 minutes. My wife gently let me know that the homily ran 30 minutes today (a slight reprimand) but then added that fortunately it was good (lol). Many don't know this but that is why throughout Church history married clergy were standard for parishes. The Presbytera was the only one that the laity could count on to shut the priest up when the wind started to get a bit long.

Uh oh. Had a 25 minute sermon on Sunday (my wife told me so). She said that it hit home with a few parishioners so that was ok, so long as I don't make a habit of it

Thank God my sermon is zero minutes long. OTH, our priests' sermons are usually 20 minutes long on the average. I also like when the homily is given: right after the Gospel reading.

Thank God. This is the proper place of the homily. It is unfortunate that it is given at the end of the Liturgy in so many parishes.

My parish records the homily on video every Sunday. While you should absolutely be there before the lessons, if you happen to miss it, you can always catch it online the next day!

Though, seriously folks, the Liturgy starts at "Blessed is the Kingdom...". The priest that baptized me was lenient, however (taking into account, I'm sure, that his parish has a lot of young families with little children), saying that it is acceptable to come in a bit late, as long as you make it for the Scripture readings. Though, he often said publicly he didn't believe people should normally commune if they came later than the Gospel.

Liturgy does start at Blessed is the Kingdom, but the canonical cutting point is the readings. That does not mean that they should take the license and run with it weekly. For a very large parish, there is no way for the priest to know. It is on the people, provided that the priest makes it known that the cut-off is the readings. Otherwise, it is on him, week after week, and, as was told him at his ordination, he will be held accountable for it at the last judgment.

How long is my sermon? I just got done. Can you imagine St. Paul visiting one of our parishes (besides quietly in an icon on the iconostas)? If we had a miraculous talking St. Paul icon who preached a continual sermon with beautiful inspiring words, most of my parishioners would marvel for about a half hour and then post it on Craigslist to trade another parish for a silent weeping one.

Usually mine runs about 15-20 minutes. My wife gently let me know that the homily ran 30 minutes today (a slight reprimand) but then added that fortunately it was good (lol). Many don't know this but that is why throughout Church history married clergy were standard for parishes. The Presbytera was the only one that the laity could count on to shut the priest up when the wind started to get a bit long.

Uh oh. Had a 25 minute sermon on Sunday (my wife told me so). She said that it hit home with a few parishioners so that was ok, so long as I don't make a habit of it

lol, in my non-denominational days, it wasn't a sermon if it didn't go for an hour. We looked at distain and so called "churches" that didn't have a sermon that wasn't at least 60 minutes. How can a pastor give all his rants and raves against the depravity of denominations in less than 60 minutes?

For those that go to the nondenominational megachurches, cool guy pastors try to get the congregation in and out in 1 -1.5 hours (the entire service), especially if there are multiple services. So a half hour may be right on the money. In my pentecostal days, a one hour sermon was the absolute minimum. And if you didn't reference at least five books of the Bible, you were either an amateur or a heathen.

How long is my sermon? I just got done. Can you imagine St. Paul visiting one of our parishes (besides quietly in an icon on the iconostas)? If we had a miraculous talking St. Paul icon who preached a continual sermon with beautiful inspiring words, most of my parishioners would marvel for about a half hour and then post it on Craigslist to trade another parish for a silent weeping one.

Usually mine runs about 15-20 minutes. My wife gently let me know that the homily ran 30 minutes today (a slight reprimand) but then added that fortunately it was good (lol). Many don't know this but that is why throughout Church history married clergy were standard for parishes. The Presbytera was the only one that the laity could count on to shut the priest up when the wind started to get a bit long.

Uh oh. Had a 25 minute sermon on Sunday (my wife told me so). She said that it hit home with a few parishioners so that was ok, so long as I don't make a habit of it

lol, in my non-denominational days, it wasn't a sermon if it didn't go for an hour. We looked at distain and so called "churches" that didn't have a sermon that wasn't at least 60 minutes. How can a pastor give all his rants and raves against the depravity of denominations in less than 60 minutes?

« Last Edit: August 20, 2013, 08:46:59 AM by hecma925 »

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Happy shall he be, that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. Alleluia.

For those that go to the nondenominational megachurches, cool guy pastors try to get the congregation in and out in 1 -1.5 hours (the entire service), especially if there are multiple services. So a half hour may be right on the money. In my pentecostal days, a one hour sermon was the absolute minimum. And if you didn't reference at least five books of the Bible, you were either an amateur or a heathen.

LOL, so true! We also looked down on megachurches and really any church was wasn't ours. We wouldn't even play church softball with other churches for fear of being contaminated by their lack of godliness, and everyone sent their kids to Bob Jones University which was the least heretical of all the godless colleges out there.

Yeah, I know all about it. "Let me show you the TRUE church...if you don't speak in tongues, then you aren't a REAL Christian and you're going to hell. Oh, you're Baptist? Well, you might get a pass. As long as you're not a Pope-worshipping, statue-kissing Catholic." Ugh, I think I was brain-washed.

Bob Jones University is the epicenter of heresy. No, you must go to OUR church's non-accredited Bible college. There you will learn the true doctrine of God and then you can be ordained a minister of the Lord. Barf.

For those that go to the nondenominational megachurches, cool guy pastors try to get the congregation in and out in 1 -1.5 hours (the entire service), especially if there are multiple services. So a half hour may be right on the money. In my pentecostal days, a one hour sermon was the absolute minimum. And if you didn't reference at least five books of the Bible, you were either an amateur or a heathen.

LOL, so true! We also looked down on megachurches and really any church was wasn't ours. We wouldn't even play church softball with other churches for fear of being contaminated by their lack of godliness, and everyone sent their kids to Bob Jones University which was the least heretical of all the godless colleges out there.

No, non-denoms are not cultish AT ALL.

« Last Edit: August 20, 2013, 09:55:39 AM by hecma925 »

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Happy shall he be, that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. Alleluia.

Well, that is true. BJU is now the epicenter of heresy because they now allow versions other than the KJV 1611 which is the inerrant inspired Word of God superceding even the original manuscripts. Didn't you know that God spoke only in "Thee" and Thou"?

Yes, early modern English is the language of God and the angels. The Most High gave this language to his chosen King, the beloved one of the Lord, James, so that he could translate the Original manuscripts (in Old and Middle English, of course) in an Authorized Version for the heaven-on-earth kingdom of the godly English peoples. Thank God! BJU allowing the use of the NEW (I become sick) King James Version is heresy. I hear some students even use *gasp* the NIV, which is Lucifer's own writing.

Well, that is true. BJU is now the epicenter of heresy because they now allow versions other than the KJV 1611 which is the inerrant inspired Word of God superceding even the original manuscripts. Didn't you know that God spoke only in "Thee" and Thou"?

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Happy shall he be, that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. Alleluia.

You haven't lived until you go to a megachurch that's so mega (one church, multiple campuses[campusi?]) that you go to watch a satellite broadcast sermon of the main/executive/lead/senior pastor. Let that one sink in. You go to a church to watch TV. Of course the music is live though. 4 out of 5 songs that don't even have the words "Lord," "God," or "Jesus." This is an actual very recent experience of mine (as in this past Sunday) with my wife, who is not Orthodoxically-leaning.

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Happy shall he be, that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. Alleluia.

You probably think we are joking. Sadly, we are not. This is the state of many non-denominational churchs in the US.

I know you're not joking. I may not have direct experience with megachurches, but I like being nosy - and I know enough people who are trying to recover from them.

The megachurches aren't actually the worst of it. They are mostly just the emotional feel good services with a sub-par rock band and a feel good sermon with a mandated projector displaying the music videos of the latest worship songs. No substance, but really don't mess you up too bad. It is the smaller cultish churchs that are so prevalent across the US that can be the real problem. They usually have a crazy made up doctrinal statement usually centers around apocalyptic rapture nonsense and incorporate a strange mix of hating the goverment and every other religious entity while at the same time half-worshiping the "Founding Fathers" who made this a "Christian Nation" and their pastor who may or may not have any religion training.

On my other internet haunt I know a woman who was an ordained ULC 'prophetess' at 19. The facts that she openly advocates that formal education is for losers and she can't write for toffee obviously made no difference. 'It's fast and free', yeah.

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'When you live your path all the time, you end up with both more path and more time.'~Venecia Rauls

This makes me shudder. I've seen this in English- and Spanish-speaking pentecostal denominations. Don't really see it in megachurches. But here's a funny thing: you know how when child stars grow up and become different? At one church I was a member of, we had a child preacher, all bluster, and no substance (people love a kid copying their parents) who grew up into a normal teenage d-bag. The people cheering and whooping it up for the kid in the NatGeo link won't be doing that for him in, oh, eight years or so.

When Father J. does give us a few words, it's usually less than 5 minutes. I always get as close to him as I can in case my old ears miss a single word. It's not really the words that are so special but how transparently real and sincere he is when he says them. Commenting once on "blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" he added "...and that includes all of us since". At that moment our eyes locked and I felt a tiny bit of his joy.

Well, that is true. BJU is now the epicenter of heresy because they now allow versions other than the KJV 1611 which is the inerrant inspired Word of God superceding even the original manuscripts. Didn't you know that God spoke only in "Thee" and Thou"?

From an old joke:If the King James Version was good enough for Peter and Paul, it's good enough for me!

This makes me shudder. I've seen this in English- and Spanish-speaking pentecostal denominations. Don't really see it in megachurches. But here's a funny thing: you know how when child stars grow up and become different? At one church I was a member of, we had a child preacher, all bluster, and no substance (people love a kid copying their parents) who grew up into a normal teenage d-bag. The people cheering and whooping it up for the kid in the NatGeo link won't be doing that for him in, oh, eight years or so.

Google the real life story of child preacher Marjoe Gortner. It is heartbreaking. He was brainwashed to do mimicry preaching at age 4 in the 50s. He even married a couple. Then he grew up and spent years doing exposes Elmer Gantry style.

I googled him. Geez, that is sad that parents could sacrifice their children's lives to make money. It definitely screwed him up. I wonder how prevalent physical abuse to child "preachers" is from their parents?

Logged

Happy shall he be, that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. Alleluia.

My experience with the sermon in Orthodox parishes is that they're usually short, sweet and to the point. This is much different than my Methodist upbringing, where I've timed sermons from between 60 minutes to 90 minutes. I remember writhing around on the pew because I had to go the toilet.

My experience with the sermon in Orthodox parishes is that they're usually short, sweet and to the point. This is much different than my Methodist upbringing, where I've timed sermons from between 60 minutes to 90 minutes. I remember writhing around on the pew because I had to go the toilet.

Was it a wooden pew? Those always made my behind itch as a kid.

Logged

Happy shall he be, that shall take and dash thy little ones against the rock. Alleluia.

My experience with the sermon in Orthodox parishes is that they're usually short, sweet and to the point. This is much different than my Methodist upbringing, where I've timed sermons from between 60 minutes to 90 minutes. I remember writhing around on the pew because I had to go the toilet.

Once when the Bishop was visiting our Church, I was in the altar as an altar boy, and as he was getting ready to give the sermon, I asked him what the best sermon he ever gave, he told us the best sermon is the shortest one.

Logged

The Lord gathers his sheep, I fear I am a goat. Lord have mercy.

"A Christian is someone who follows and worships a perfectly good God who revealed his true face through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.“

Once when the Bishop was visiting our Church, I was in the altar as an altar boy, and as he was getting ready to give the sermon, I asked him what the best sermon he ever gave, he told us the best sermon is the shortest one.

I have to say that in my experience, going back a fairly long time, most bishops do not adhere to said policy.

My experience with the sermon in Orthodox parishes is that they're usually short, sweet and to the point. This is much different than my Methodist upbringing, where I've timed sermons from between 60 minutes to 90 minutes. I remember writhing around on the pew because I had to go the toilet.

Once when the Bishop was visiting our Church, I was in the altar as an altar boy, and as he was getting ready to give the sermon, I asked him what the best sermon he ever gave, he told us the best sermon is the shortest one.

I have to say that in my experience, going back a fairly long time, most bishops do not adhere to said policy.

If I remember correctly he also was long winded, but he also loved a good laugh.

Logged

The Lord gathers his sheep, I fear I am a goat. Lord have mercy.

"A Christian is someone who follows and worships a perfectly good God who revealed his true face through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.“